African Drumming | Early Years & KS1 CPD | Staff Wellbeing

“How can such fantastic music be composed in such a short time?”
Colmore Junior

“The best external activity brought into school. Thoroughly enjoyable.”
Newcastle-under-Lyme Junior

“Many thanks for your excellent student training, enjoyed by all!”
Oxford Brookes University

“An excellent session with so many obvious benefits to the children.”
Ofsted

“Sarah inspires maximum musical development in those she teaches.”
Yardley Primary

African Drumming for Primary Schools

Africa Projects/ Arts & Cultural Weeks/ Enrichment

Our exhilarating African Drumming Experiences offer KS1 to KS3 children all the fun of playing drums together, learning about other cultures, building musical awareness and improving communication and social skills, coordination, teamwork and confidence.

A highly creative way of fulfilling key aspects of the National Curriculum:

  • Music and Culture
  • Geography
  • Numeracy and Literacy
Children drumming

“You provided an excellent session with so many obvious benefits to the children.” 

Ofsted

“The best external activity brought into school. A thoroughly enjoyable day.”

Newcastle-under-Lyme Junior School

“How can such fantastic music be composed in such a short time? Absolutely brilliant!”

Colmore Junior School

Ready Steady Drum! – Early Years & KS1 Music CPD

Drums in a row

Boost learning through rhythm!

Children involved in regular music-making show faster brain development and stronger language and numeracy skills. Rhythm and movement don’t just make learning fun – they build better learners.

Ready Steady Drum! is a vibrant CPD training for EY and KS1 staff, packed with rhythm and joyful play. Designed for real-world classrooms, using simple classroom percussion (and washing-up bowls!) – this programme gives staff all they need to lead rich musical activities that support learning and wellbeing.

🎵 The Rhythm Antidote to Screens!

After disrupted routines and screen-heavy daily life, children need more active, connected, sensory-rich experiences. Rhythm-based activities reawaken focus, speech, coordination and social skills – all through shared, creative music-making.

Created for Birmingham Education Authority by Sarah Westwood, Ready Steady Drum! was designed to accelerate early literacy, numeracy and motor skills using simple instruments and rhythmic play.

🎯 What It Supports (EYFS-aligned)

Communications & Language

  • Builds attention, listening, vocabulary and expressive language
  • Supports Phase 1 Phonics: sound discrimination, rhythms and rhyme

Mathematics

  • Develops number sense, counting, pattern and sequencing
  • Explores size, shape, tempo and spatial language

Physical Development

  • Strengthens fine/gross motor skills, balance and spatial awareness
  • Encourages movement, coordination and rhythm

Personal, Social & Emotional development

  • Builds confidence, cooperation and emotional regulation
  • Nurtures connection through rhythm and routine

“In 20 years of teaching nursery I have never had such an advanced group to send up to reception in regards to their speaking and listening'”

Hawkesley Nursery

“Opportunities to listen to and repeat sounds and rhythms will be invaluable in developing their phonological awareness.”

Conway Primary School

KS1 to KS3

African Drumming

Our African Drumming Experiences for Schools are practical, educational and come with a big ‘wow’ factor!

Children love playing the beautiful instruments and enjoy feeling successful quickly, whilst learning the fundamentals of music-making. Sessions are tailored to each age group, and include:

  • Cultural background & how instruments are made,
  • Playing basics & rhythm games,
  • Learning a performance piece,
  • Key communication skills,
  • Leadership & positive contribution.

Whole or half-day sessions and weekly classes.

Up to five classes in a day, or two to three longer classes culminating in a sharing or video performance.

  • Whole day: £400
  • Half-day: £300
  • 1 hr session: £200
    + travel
  • Discounts for multiple bookings and residencies.
Ready to drum at school

“Sarah inspires maximum musical development in those she teaches. Her results are outstanding.” 

Yardley Primary School

Staff Training

Ready Steady Drum!

‘Ready Steady Drum!’ engages children in creative rhythm and rhyme activities, building a wide range of foundational skills.

This highly accessible programme gives staff all the skills to lead successful musical activities. Drumming is thrilling for young children – and staff! … making it an ideal activity to support:

  • Wellbeing
  • Listening
  • Concentration
  • Dexterity
  • Working together

🕒 Training Options & Costs

All sessions include:

A full printed Ready Steady Drum! manual

Up to 20 staff included (ideal for school clusters)

3-hour Core Training – £400

Perfect for INSET mornings or twilight sessions. Staff leave ready to use the activities straight away.

5-hour Extended Training – £500

More time for deeper practice, stronger links to the EYFS framework, and tailored exploration.

Split 2-Part Programme – £550

Includes a 3-hr intro session and a 2-hr follow-up (flexible scheduling) for reflection, support and next steps.

Travel expenses may apply depending on location.

Staff Drumming for Teambuilding & Wellbeing

Give your staff a big boost next INSET day!

Drumming is always a popular choice and offers valuable benefits:

  • Quickly creates Community & Mutual Support
  • Inspires & Motivates
  • Relieves Stress
  • Accessible & Inclusive
  • A memorable experience to treasure!

1 hr to half-day events.

“Sarah’s drumming workshop developed our staff team and built morale more than I could have imagined. It was so enjoyable, the staff put on a display at the Christmas concert!”

Ark Tindal Primary

Testimonials

“We look forward to our drumming workshops every year. The children love them. How can such fantastic music be composed in such a short time? Absolutely brilliant!”

Carmel SimmonsColmore Junior School

“The best external activity brought into school. A thoroughly enjoyable day.”

Newcastle-under-Lyme Junior School

“The comments from all our staff following your workshop sessions last half term were so positive and all were amazed at how much you were able to get the children to produce after such a relatively short time working with them – it was very impressive, and most importantly the children loved it.”

Pam BowlesMarlborough Infants School

“Sarah provides weekly African drumming lessons for pupils in Years four, five and six, as well as a pioneering steady beat programme for children in Early Years called Ready Steady Drum! Sarah inspires maximum musical development in those she teaches. Her results are always outstanding.”

Chris O’MalleyYardley Primary School

“Sarah has been running African drumming workshops at The Arthur Terry School, Sutton Coldfield, for seven years. This is a part of our annual Year 7 multi-cultural week and ties in well with the work students have been doing on pulse and rhythm earlier in the year. Sarah’s workshops are meticulously planned and give students the opportunity to experience a range of drumming styles and techniques. Our students have benefited enormously from Sarah’s workshops and always thoroughly enjoy the experience.”

Chris ColletThe Arthur Terry School

“It was incredible to see how much the children could do after having only a very short session and fabulous to see the look of excitement and enthusiasm on the children’s faces. Sarah had a lovely manner with the children and we have already booked her for next year.”

Eastfield Infants & NurserySt Ives

“What was especially great was the performance at the end of the day, and several other teachers who watched commented on how much they’d enjoyed it too. It was so lovely to hear all the children drumming, singing and clapping together, when often their singing is rather lack lustre!! We shall definitely be booking for you to come for another session next year!”

Cath KeastYorkmead Primary

Contact us for more information on any of our programmes: